HOUSTON - It didn't surprise Milwaukee Brewers manager Craig Counsell that catcher Jett Bandy got off to a slow start at the plate this spring.

"He tried some things (at the plate) in the off-season that he worked through," Counsell said. "When I saw what he was trying to do, I expected him to have a little bit of a slow start in spring training.

"But I think he's got it now. The changes probably aren't as big as he first tried; they're a little smaller. But they work for them."

The results have been evident for Bandy, who was batting .188 in exhibition play on March 15. Before the Brewers left Arizona and traveled to play the Houston Astros, he collected six hits in eight at-bats, including a double and home run, to boost his spring average to .300 with a .391 on-base percentage.

"I'm getting more at-bats and not trying to do too much," Bandy said. "It's more of a mental approach, keeping it the same each day and not changing. That's been the biggest thing for me. It has made things more simple."

Bandy, who turned 28 Monday, was not assured a spot on the Brewers' roster entering camp. The second catching spot behind Manny Pina was expected to be a competition between Bandy and veteran Stephen Vogt, but Vogt suffered a shoulder strain that will put him on the disabled list and likely keep him out for at least a month.

That injury delayed the Brewers having to make a decision on Bandy, who is out of minor-league options and would have to clear waivers to go to the minors. But he said this is not how he wanted to make the roster.

"I've always been in this spot every spring since I started," said Bandy, who was acquired from the Los Angeles Angels on Dec. 13, 2016, in a trade for catcher Martin Maldonado and pitcher Drew Gagnon.

"Stephen getting hurt just sucks. You never want to see that. He's a great guy; he's one of my best friends. We've really bonded over this time we've had together. I can't wait until he gets back out there."

It was a prolonged offensive slump by Bandy that encouraged the Brewers to claim Vogt off waivers from Oakland on June 25 of last season. Sharing catching duties with Pina, Bandy got off to a scorching start at the plate, batting .327 in April with a .377 on-base percentage.

Then, the bottom fell out. Bandy plummeted into a 2 for 46 skid, and was batting .211 with a .287 OBP when sent to the minors upon Vogt's arrival. Bandy was recalled when Vogt suffered a knee injury in mid-July but cracked a rib a few weeks later and went on the DL for a month.

Bandy went home, regrouped and came back this spring determined to get back on track. Now, with Vogt on the shelf, he is getting an opportunity he couldn't have expected otherwise.

"I just want to do the best I can out there," he said. "I feel good right now and ready to start the season. You always want to finish spring training strong, and I've been doing that. You always want to see results, especially when you've made some changes."